Jewelry clasps



Feb. 24, 1959 NIELSEN 2,874,435

JEWELRY CLASPS Filed Aug. 23, 1954 5] Q6256 if mazmamzww INVENTOR.

(1% ligrner- United States Patent My invention relates toclaspswhich are employed for connecting the ends of brace-lets, necklaces, watch chains, etc. A largevarietyof clasps have been developed and put intouse for the above purpose, but some which are simple are undependable in their retentive properties, while others which embody a good locking mechanism are rather complicated and expensive. Recognizing these conditions, it is one object of the present invention to provide a clasp which is of simple construction while constituted to procure a reliable locking action.

A further object is to design the clasp in a manner to become tensioned momentarily only during the closing action but become relaxed when it is in the locked position.

An additional object is to construct the clasp in a manner to withstand vibration and shocks and remain locked under such conditions.

With the above objects in view, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which-- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the clasp as interposed in a chain and in the locked position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged duplication of the showing in Fig. l in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged duplication of the showing in Fig. 1 with the clasp in the open position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view of the showing in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the clasp; and

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the end links of a jewelry or other chain at 10 and 11, and Fig. 1- shows the body of the clasp at 13, the same being extended to the rear with an eye which is permanently attached to the chain link 11.

As indicated in Fig. 5, the body 13 of the link consists of companion walls expanded from the eye 15, such walls being parallel and extending forwardly to be joined by a cross-bar 17 and form a keeper for the clasp. The walls 13 are narrowed down to form extensions 13 before they form the cross-bar 17; and such extensions termi nate as rearward flanges 22 connecting with the ends of the cross-bar to make it channel-shaped.

A trigger 25 of solid construction is deposited with one end portion between the walls 13 of the clasp, such end portion being thickened as indicated at 26. A crosspin 28 secures the trigger 25 pivotally in respect to the keeper of the clasp. The trigger is extended with a spur 30 serving as a finger piece; and the forward portion of the trigger is in the form of a tongue 31 which is designed to enter into the channel formed by the cross-bar 17 and the side flanges 22 in order to close the clasp. The trigger is hollowed out at 32 to create a sufficiently large opening in cooperation with the extensions 18 for the passage of the chain link 10 through the clasp.

The narrow construction of the clasp body 13 in the region of the extensions 18 renders the side walls defining them somewhat yieldable to the entering action of the tongue 31 when the trigger 25 is swung in the closing direction. It is noted that the trigger is recessed at 35'-behind the tongue 31. Therefore, the latter crowds the cross-bar 17 outwardly on the closing movement until the tongue 31 trips the cross-bar and the latter drops into the recess 35 of the trigger, as shown in Fig. 2.

The action just described only imposed tension on the keeper during the closing movement of the trigger tongue 31, sothat the seating of the keeper as stated relieves such tension while creating a locking joint by the keeper and the trigger. Therefore, the trigger will not recede when the clasp receives vibration or shock during the use or handling of the chain in which the clasp is interposed.

it is noted that the tongue 31 is considerably thicker than the adjoining extensions 13. Therefore, the inner edge of the tongue is the one against which the chain link 10 bears in case of a pull on the chain link 10. With the tongue and balance of the trigger of solid construction, the tongue will be sturdy enough to resist the pull of the link, so that such pull is not transmitted to the cross-bar 17 with a tendency to open the same and unlock the clasp. In fact, the greater the outward pull on the tongue the more firmly will it seat the crossbar and keep the clasp closed. Therefore, the clasp is fortified both against vibratory and pulling actions. However, the spur 30 is conveniently located for the application of a finger to impose an opening influence on the clasp which is unlike any force which occurs during the use thereof, namely, in a direction to separate the trigger from the body of the clasp by a pivotal outward movement of the trigger. The force of the finger of course will be sufiicient to draw on the trigger and aid in overcoming the normal locking position of the cross-bar 17, so that the keeper will be tensioned suificiently to permit the opening of the trigger.

It will now be apparent that the novel clasp has a number of advantageous features. First, it has a solid construction, not only in the integral form of the body 13 with the eye 15, but also from the combination of the thick trigger portion 26 as lodged in the body of the clasp. Further, the body walls extending to the keeper are reduced in thickness both to form the extensions 18 and lend the keeper a factor of yieldability, the cross-bar of the keeper being reinforced by its side flanges 22 in order to hold its form. Further, the trigger is formed with a tongue 31 which is not only curved to gradually crowd the cross-bar 17 to the locking position, but also to constitute a sturdy hook to which the pull of the chain link 10 will be confined without passing the strain to the keeper. Further, the trigger is sufiiciently sturdy to retain its strength despite the hollow portion 32 which completes the opening in the clasp for the passage of the chain link 10. Further, the form of the trigger tongue is such that it only tensions the keeper during the closing action and allows the keeper to relax into its original position when the locking action occurs, this feature preventing the clasp from opening from a jar or shock. Finally, the clasp is of exceedingly simple construction, being composed of only the body 13, the trigger 25 and the pin 28; and when the clasp is closed, it is quite compact and sturdy in design.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes and refinements as may come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clasp for jewelry and the like comprising a body having spaced side walls in one end portion and reduced relatively narrow and tensionable yieldable extensions of the walls in the other end portion, said walls including the extensions having upper edge portions defining an openable and closable space in said body adapted to receive a connector element, a cross-bar spanning the extensions, a trigger pivoted between the side walls for swinging movement toward and away from the exten sions to respectively close and open said space, said trigger having a tongue portion provided with a cam surface engageable with said cross-bar to crowd and trip the cross-bar from the inner side and yieldingly tension the extensions during said swinging movement, and the trigger having a recess behind the tongue seating the cross-bar on the completion of said movement toward said space to close the same.

2. The structure of claim 1, the extensions having terminal upward bends connected by said cross-bar, and the tongue lying between the terminal bends and thickened inwardly to project into said space when the trigger has completed the movement to close the same, the tongue then serving as an abutment for said element in case it is drawn in outward direction.

3. The structure of claim 1, the extensions having terminal upward bends connected by the cross-bar, such bends formed with portions projecting inwardly from the cross-bar, and such portions forming lateral guides for the tongues from its engagement with the cross-bar to the completion of the trigger movement to close said space.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

